1853.] 


SENATE. 


[18th  Assem. 


INSANE  HOSPITAL. 


REPORT 

OF 

THE  JOINT  COMMITTEE 

Appointed  to  visit  the  Hospital  for  the  Insane. 


To  the  General  Assembly  of  the  State  of  Illinois : 

The  undersigned,  a  joint  select  committee  appointed  by  the  senate 
and  house  of  representatives  to  examine  the  Illinois  state  hospital  for 
the  insane,  would  respectfully 

REPORT: 

That,  accompanied  by  his  excellency  the  governor,  they  visited 
said  institution  on  the  28th  day  of  January  ultimo,  and  proceeded  to 
the  discharge  of  the  duty  assigned  them.  They  were  unable,  from  the 
short  space  of  time  allowed  them,  to  institute  a  very  rigid  or  thorough 
examination  into  the  manner  of  conducting  the  affairs  of  the  hospital 
in  every  particular.  Nor  was  this  deemed  necessary,  from  the  fact 
that  very  full  reports  of  the  condition  and  prospects  of  the  institution 
have  already  been  submitted  to  this  assembly  at  its  present  session,  by 
the  Hon.  Ninian  W.  Edwards,  on  the  part  of  the  commissioners  ap¬ 
pointed  by  the  last  legislature,  as  also  by  the  trustees  and  superin¬ 
tendent.  Your  committee  can,  therefore,  do  little  else  than  express 
a  general  concurrence  with  the  views  and  sentiments  embraced  in  the 
reports  alluded  to,  with  an  occasional  modification. 

They  acquiesced  in  the  opinion  expressed  by  all  who  have  visited 
4  the  asylum,  as  to  its  perfection  of  plan,  superior  mechanical  execu¬ 
tion,  symmetrical  architecture,  elegance  of  finish  and  admirable  adap¬ 
tation  to  the  purpose  for  which  it  was  erected.  Those  charged  with 
carrying  into  effect  this  noble  charity  of  our  state,  have  wisely  availed 
*  themselves  of  all  the  valuable  improvements  suggested  by  experience, 
both  with  regard  to  architectural  design  and  internal  arrangement. 
The  gratifying  result  is,  that  they  have  produced  a  work  which,  when 
entirely  completed,  will  be  the  admiration  of  all  who  visit  it,  and  of 
which  the  state  majr  well  be  proud.  That  a  building  of  such  vast 
proportions  should  have  been  erected  in  so  substantial  and  finished 
in  so  superior  a  manner,  for  the  sum  of  eighty-four  thousand  dollars , 


'  v>  *  i 

.  :  v  y  *  » 


*  V 


r  **  v  '  '**•  ?  *.  ,*■  'J  /  y 


2 


[248] 


/ 


a.  i 


v ' 


is  proof  conclusive  that  no  wasteful  extravagance  has  been  indulged 
in,  but  that  a  proper  economy  has  been  observed  in  its  construction. 

The  committee  most  cordially  indorse  the  recommendatory  notice  by 
the  superintendent,  of  Mr.  M.  C.  Goltra,  the  architect,  and  Messrs. 
Melick  &  Mount,  the  plasterers.  Indeed,  the  plastering  done  under  the 
special  supervision  of  Mr.  Abraham  Melick,  deserves  particular  notice, 
as  being  executed  in  the  very  highest  style  of  the  art. 

The  arrangements  for  supplying  the  different  apartments  of  the 
building  with  warmed  air,  and  with  an  abundant  supply  of  warm  and 
cold  water,  have  been  very  clearly  and  minutely  described  by  the  su¬ 
perintendent  in  his  report.  Your  committee  will  only  add,  that  the 
perfection  of  those  arrangements  challenged  their  highest  admiration. 
Through  their  means,  pure  air  of  a  delightful  temperature  is  constant¬ 
ly  circulating  through  all  the  different  wards,  and  so  perfect  is  the 
ventilation  that  the  whole  volume  of  atmosphere  in  each  apartment  is 
renewed  every  fifteen  minutes.  A  small  steam  engine,  which  serves 
other  important  uses,  also  forces  a  sufficiency  of  fresh,  wholesome  wa¬ 
ter  into  the  fifth  story  of  the  building,  whence  it  is  conducted  by  pipes 
to  the  different  rooms,  to  be  used  as  required  by  the  wants  of  the  in¬ 
mates. 

As  an  evidence  of  the  thorough  and  admirable  system  which  pre¬ 
vails  in  the  management  of  the  institution,  the  committee  remarked 
that  a  register  is  kept  in  which  is  each  day  recorded  the  external  and 
internal  temperature,  the  number  of  gallons  of  water  discharged  into 
the  reservoirs,  the  number  of  cubic  feet  of  warmed  air  introduced  in¬ 
to  the  building,  the  amount  of  fuel  consumed,  &c.  From  this  table  it 
appears  that  the  cost  of  warming  and  ventilation  amounts  to  but  one 
and  a  half  cents  per  day  for  each  patient.  Thus,  while  a  great  saving 
in  cost  is  effected  by  means  of  a  scientific  arrangement,  the  object  is 
more  perfectly  accomplished,  and  all  danger  from  fire  is  avoided. 

With  regard  to  the  sanatory  regulations  adopted  by  the  medical  of¬ 
ficers  of  the  institution,  the  committee  will  state  as  a  conclusion  from 
their  observations,  that  they  believe  them  to  be  such  as  are  sanctioned 
by  experience  in  other  hospitals.  Due  regard  seems  to  be  paid  to  the 
cleanliness  and  comfort  of  the  patients  ;  and  the  professional  attain¬ 
ments  of  the  gentlemen  in  charge  afford  ample  guaranty  that  the  un¬ 
fortunate  inmates  are  properly  treated,  with  a  view  to  their  restoration 
to  reason,  where  recovery  is  possible.  This  opinion  is  confirmed  by 
an  examination  of  the  tabular  report  of  cures  effected  since  the  insti¬ 
tution  has  been  opened  for  the  reception  of  patients.  Notwithstand-  , 
ing  the  disadvantages  which  must  naturally  have  resulted  from  an 
unfinished  state  of  the  building,  inexperienced  attendants,  and  impos¬ 
sibility,  from  want  of  room,  for  proper  classification,  it  will  be  found 
by  reference  to  the  report  of  the  trustees,  that  the  per  centage  of  cures  * 
has  not  only  been  greater,  but  those  cures  have  been  actually  affected 
at  less  cost  in  the  Illinois  hospital  for  the  insane,  than  in  an  avearge 
of  the  like  institutions  in  ten  other  states,  including  in  the  enumera¬ 
tion  all  the  great  states  of  the  Union.  The  result,  under  all  the  cir¬ 
cumstances,  is  a  matter  of  just  pride,  and  the  simple  recital  of  the 
fact  is  the  most  fitting  tribute  to  the  ability  and  efficiency  of  the  su- 


o 

O 


[249] 


perintendent  and  his  assistants.  The  good  opinion  they  have  won,  it 
f  is  hoped,  by  an  unremitting  assiduity  in  the  discharge  of  their  duties, 
they  will  continue  to  deserve. 

Your  committee  are  fully  impressed  with  the  justness  of  the  sugges¬ 
tions  of  the  superintendent  with  regard  to  the  admission  of  idiots,  and 
would  strongly  recommend  that  the  law  be  so  amended  as  to  prohibit 
their  further  introduction  into  the  hospital.  It  is  evident  that  they 
can  receive  no  possible  benefit  beyond  the  mere  nursing  and  attention 
which  is  bestowed  upon  all  the  inmates,  and  the  concurrent  testimony 
of  all  the  officers  is  to  the  point  that  their  presence  exerts  the  most 
injurious  influence  upon  the  remainder  of  the  patients.  If  such  change 
I  be  not  made,  they  should  at  least  be  confined  to  a  ward  by  themselves, 
and  should,  in  no  case,  be  permitted  to  mingle  with  the  insane. 

*  The  committee  cannot  speak  from  personal  inspection  as  to  the 
mode  of  keeping  accounts  adopted  by  the  officers  of  the  institution, 
but  are  of  opinion  that  the  method  suggested  by  the  committee  ap¬ 
pointed  at  the  last  session  should  be  pursued.  By  providing  that  the 
person  authorized  to  make  contracts  shall,  in  every  case,  require  du¬ 
plicate  bills,  on  one  of  which  he  shall  indorse  an  order  on  the  treasu¬ 
rer  to  pay  the  amount,  and  on  the  other  take  a  receipt  for  the  order  so 
given  by  him  on  the  treasurer  ;  and  that  no  account  shall  be  paid  with¬ 
out  bill  of  items  furnished,  indorsed  by  the  appropriate  committee, 
or  superintendent,  all  confusion  will  be  avoided,  and  accuracy  and 
fidelity  in  the  financial  management  of  the  institution  secured. 

The  committee  would  repeat  the  suggestion  heretofore  made,  that 
no  female  with  children,  except  the  superintendent’s  and  steward’s 
wives,  should  be  employed  in  the  asylum. 

It  has  been  proposed  that  the  governor  should  appoint  a  board,  to 
consist  of  three,  as  visiters,  for  the  hospital,  one  of  whom  should  be 
the  superintendent  of  a  like  institution  from  some  neighboring  state, 
and  the  remaining  two  distinguished  physicians  from  our  own  state. 
Instead  of  this  proposition  your  committee  would  recommend  that  by 
an  arrangement  which  could,  without  difficulty,  be  made,  a  congress 
of  the  superintendents  of  the  different  lunatic  asylums  in  the  Union  be 
annually  held  at  some  convenient  point,  and  that  the  necessary  trav- 
|  eling  expenses  of  our  superintendent,  while  on  such  mission,  be  defray- 
"  ed  from  the  hospital  fund.  By  this  means  each  would  become  posses- 
>  sor  of  the  united  experience  of  all,  from  which  it  is  believed  the  most 
l  beneficial  results  would  ensue. 

Some  inconvenience  appears  to  have  resulted  from  a  reduction  in 
the  number  of  trustees,  under  an  act  of  the  legislature  passed  during 
?  the  session  of  1851 — ’2.  Your  committee  cannot  too  earnestly  urge 

the  pressing  necessity  that  exists  for  an  entire  new  organization  of  the 
board.  They  would  modify  the  suggestions  of  the  previous  commit¬ 
tee  in  the  following  manner : 

First.  That  the  number  of  trustees  be  increased  to  nine,  to  be  ap¬ 
pointed  by  the  governor,  by  and  with  the  advice  and  consent  of  the 
senate,  and  to  hold  their  offices  for  the  term  of  six  years. 

Second.  That  five  of  the  board  shall  be  taken  from  citizens  of  Mor¬ 
gan  county,  and  the  remainder  from  other  counties. 


[250] 


4. 


Third.  That  it  be  so  arranged,  to  be  determined  by  lot,  that  three 
of  said  board  shall  go  out  of  office  every  two  years. , 

Fourth.  That  mileage  be  allowed  to  the  trustees  assembling  frorr  i 
distant  counties  to  attend  any  official  meeting,  the  rate  to  be  fixed  by. 
a  majority  of  the  board.  j  ; 

Fifth.  That  no  trustee  shall  be  a  member  of  the  board  of  any  oth-jj: 
er  state  institution,  nor  be  permitted  to  hold  any  office,  or  enter  int  ij 
any  contract  connected  with  the  institution. 

The  present  building,  when  the  four  additional  wards  shall  hav<c 
been  finished,  will  only  accommodate  about  two  hundred  patients 
Two  hundred  and  forty  applications  for  admission  have  already  bee 
made,  and  it  is  estimated  that  there  are  perhaps  double  this  numb*1  j 
of  lunatics  within  our  state  limits.  In  view  of  these  facts,  and  ini  s,r 
much  as  it  is  of  the  highest  importance  that  there  should  be  a  mo  Vj 
perfect  classification  of  the  inmates,  the  committee  would  recommen  !: 
that  further  additions  be  made  to  the  hospital  in  accordance  with  thdjj$jj 
original  plan,  as  rapidly  as  the  fund  will  allow.  To  accomplish  thi4^»|. 
end,  they  would  urge  a  continuance  of  the  present  rate  of  taxation 
from  which  it  is  believed  can  be  realized  a  sufficient  sum  to  complete 
the  whole  structure  within  three  years,  besides  paying  current  expen* 


it : 


ses.  When  thus  finished,  it  will  be  sufficiently  commodious  to  accom-*’ 


modate  nearly  if  not  all  the  unfortunate  victims  of  insanity  in  our  state  Jg| 
The  building  and  all  its  appurtenances  should  be  pushed  on  to  com-p 
pletion  during  the  present  season  of  unparalleled  prosperity,  and  alljg 
necessary  taxes  for  this  purpose  will  be  borne  cheerfully  by  our  peo-ffl 
pie.  When  this  object  is  accomplished,  it  is  estimated  that  a  tax  ofSp|| 
not  exceeding  one-tenth  of  a  mill  will  be  amply  sufficient  to  defray  all jE 
necessary  expenses.  This  exceedingly  light  assessment  will  scarcely 
be  felt  by  the  individual  tax  payer,  while  from  the  aggregate  wealth  p 
of  the  state  it  will  create  a  munificent  fund,  which  will  alleviate  thedl 
misfortunes  of  hundreds  whose  sad  condition  appeals  most  powerfullyi:-|i'|if 
to  our  sympathies. 

H.  L.  SUTPHIN  and  others ,  Committee. 

February  1st,  1853. 


f 


